Expert thought

In view of the restrictive 2018 Luhansk People’s Republic statute, it is not surprising that some groups declined to apply for registration, while others were refused. The result is that many religious communities find themselves outside the law…. the 48 Baptist Union congregations have had to cease their activity altogether.

Religious Studies

In the context of recent events in the Orthodox world, disputes over the boundaries of church institutions often arise between the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Kyiv and Moscow. Ukraine accuses Russia of misappropriating the territory of the Kyiv Metropolis. In its turn, Moscow appeals to the fact that the ancient Kyiv Metropolis differs from the territory of modern Ukraine. RISU decided to clarify this topic, getting advice from historians. Based on this research, we prepared an infographic.

The first question that arises concerning Ukraine is this: with what right and based on which holy canons, does Russia today claim the ecclesiastical and administrative dependency of the Metropolis of Kyiv?

Ukrainian Muslims Return from Hajj

Yesterday pilgrims, who performed the Hajj, the Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, returned from Saudi Arabia to Ukraine. About 100 pilgrims from Crimea went to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to perform the Hajj. Altogether 160 Muslims from Ukraine went to Hajj.

According to the press service of SBMC, in Medina the pilgrims visited Mount Uhud, the Quba Mosque, and the Mosque of the Two Qiblas. Later, the pilgrims went to Mecca. Muslims of Ukraine spent two weeks in the holy lands.

The Hajj is a pillar of Islam that must be carried out by every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do so at least once in his or her lifetime. The Hajj is performed during the celebration of Eid al-Adha, which this year Muslims celebrated October 15-18.